NRL Captains Call

Sonny Bill Williams' retention has attracted the commitment of the highest office in the game - NRL chief executive Dave Smith has declared the administration will do ''whatever we can'' to keep the Sydney Roosters star in the code.

As Williams weighs up whether to remain in the NRL or return to rugby union, Smith confirmed he had spoken with Williams ''several times'' about ensuring the back-rower remained in rugby league.

''He's a fantastic talent,'' Smith said. ''I thought he had a wonderful game on Friday night [against South Sydney]. It was a great spectacle.

Set to confirm his future at the end of the season: Sonny-Bill Williams.

''We want to keep players like Sonny in the game. He's an ambassador for the sport. He's just a phenomenal player. And part of that is why we're looking at the salary cap review, and the marquee player idea.''

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The NRL missed out on the signature of Israel Folau, who after rejecting the overtures of Parramatta in favour of the Waratahs last year has now extended his stay in the rival code.

With Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall, who played his last NRL game, looking towards a change of codes with the Blues, the NRL is now faced with the prospect of another star opting for Super Rugby. Williams had always been likely to return to rugby union and the Chiefs in 2015, before the World Cup that year, but is now strongly considering switching back earlier than expected.

Asked about his conversations with Williams, Smith said: ''I've spoken to Sonny on a number of occasions about a number of things. He's a wonderful human being, and I absolutely want to keep him in the game.''

The NRL is reviewing the salary cap, but any changes may come too late to keep Williams - who is set to confirm his future at the end of the season - in the code.

''At the end of the day, Sonny's got to figure out what Sonny wants to do,'' Smith said. ''You support him all the way whatever that is. I hope it's that he stays in the game. That's why we're looking at the salary cap, to make sure we do have the flexibility where we need it. We'll finish the review by the end of the year, and … any short-term fixes, we'll put in place. The likelihood is that it's a '15 implementation, but we'll do whatever we can to keep Sonny.

''I couldn't be stronger about wanting to keep Sonny in the game. And it's not just Sonny. It's all of the wonderful talent we've got in the game. But he's a great example on the field and off the field.''

Williams was instrumental in the Roosters' round-26 victory over the Rabbitohs on Friday night and shapes as one of the club's key men in the finals campaign, which begins on Saturday against Manly. Not even his teammates at the Roosters, though, have any inkling of where the dual international will be playing next year.

''He hasn't given much away,'' Roosters skipper Anthony Minichiello said. ''You've just got to let him do his thing. He might have some things planned in the off-season. But I know that he's loving living in Sydney, and loving playing for the Roosters.

''As long as he's loving his footy, hopefully he's going to stay.''

42 comments so far

So Wests may lose Benji - NRL does nothing, it's only Wests. Parra tries to get Folau - NRL does nothing, it's only Parra. Roosters to lose SBW - NRL rushes into action and will move heaven and earth to keep him in "the game" (i.e. at the Roosters that is). The NRL is fast losing credibility over the increasing gap between the rich (such as the Roosters) with no apparent salary cap and massive support of the NRL administration and the poor (such as Wests) who are constantly harangued by NRL's salary cap scrutineers and receive almost no support from head office. Andrew Webster's article on the weekend about Politis even showed how much clout the guy has in directing the NRL - he would even call the NRL chief during games to complain about the refs!! This is outrageous - but symptomatic of a club which expects to get whatever it wants. All honest fans are now talking about the Roosters squad which simply cannot be under the salary cap. Yet nothing will be done. Gus Gould has alluded to the inexplicable gap between different playing rosters who are all somehow supposed to be under the same cap. And now we have the NRL chief himself wanting to do more to help the favoured few. As I said, credibility is going out the window and with it the fans. There will be a few rich, favoured clubs and the rest will be left to rot. Disgraceful. And the lack of scrutiny by the media of these cap "rorters" represents gross laziness and is truly shameful.

Commenter

hargreaves

Location

Sydney

Date and time

September 09, 2013, 11:34PM

Relax - SBW is playing for The Chiefs in 2014.

Commenter

Joffa

Location

Lane Cove

Date and time

September 10, 2013, 10:20AM

You are obviously bitter and twisted that your team has been unsuccessful this year.

Sonny is the best player in the comp....he can turn a game in the blink of an eye....

Did you notice that Nearly 60,000 turned up to a club round, where SBW was a standout.?

the NRL know that they have an absolute super star on their hands......its simply good business for them to keep Sonny in the game.....

Commenter

CYRIL Q SNODGRASS

Location

Broome

Date and time

September 10, 2013, 10:42AM

Thanks Cyril, enjoyed a belly laugh at the idea that Money Bill is the "best player in the game".I guess you'fve been turning off the telly while Souths and Qld have been playing this year? Otherwise you might just have caught a glimpse of a certain Greg Inglis??

Commenter

Phil J.

Location

Seaforth

Date and time

September 10, 2013, 11:19AM

Unfortunately it's very difficult to stop those 'brown paper bags stuffed with cash deals' that have been going on since Henry Ford was a boy.

Commenter

kanga

Date and time

September 10, 2013, 11:35AM

I agree with Joffa. SBW has definately signed a deal with the Chiefs for 2014 and 2015 leading to the Rugby World Cup 2015, so if he wants an 'honest' NRL premiership (not the dodgy 2004 victory with a still-salary-cap-inflated Bulldogs) it must happen this year (or likely never - he turn 31 in 2016).

Commenter

Michael W

Location

Sydney

Date and time

September 10, 2013, 11:43AM

He is always looking for bigger fish to fry ... The next fish is the union World Cup ... Now , if there was an origin game or the RLWC meant something he may stay ...... Off to union ... I wouldn't bust the piggy bank for him anyway ...

Commenter

Dr Paul

Date and time

September 10, 2013, 4:40PM

Could not agree more. Nobody denies SBW's talent but it would be nice if the best talent was made available to some of the less successful clubs who actually require a "marquee player". How the Roosters are under the salary cap right now is beyond belief they spent $2mil on getting 3 new players to the club last year. if the NRL intervenes lets see it done consistently for all clubs not just those that Smith perceives as key influencers. If Ferguson ends up at the Roosters as well that will just be confirmation of another cosy deal with the privileged.

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